Arc rises early the next morning. Sitting up he looks out the window at the rising sun. Standing, he smells the scent of cooking food. Heading downstairs he finds Derpy and Dinky cooking breakfast.
“Morning dad!”
“Sleep well, Arc?”
Arc sighs. “Kinda had a bit of trouble falling asleep.”
“Something up, dad?”
“It was just the things Hammer and her sister said last night.”
“Like what?”
Derpy looks to the little girl nervously. “Now Dinky…”
Arc interrupts her. “No, it’s okay.”
He turns to Dinky before continuing.
“Hammer’s sister is trying to find a way to Equestria.”
“She is?”
Arc nods. “Yes. Mio wants to be able to see Hammer again.”
“Why don’t you just take her there then, dad?”
“She wants to do it herself. Something about proving something to me.”
Derpy shrugs. “I still don’t understand that part.”
Dinky frowns. “What would it prove though?”
“She’s… um… kinda interested in me and wants to show that she’s… worthy, or something.”
“That’s… kinda dumb.”
Derpy gasps. “Dinky?”
“I don’t see how figuring something out, even that which is so complicated, would make someone more worthy of another’s affection.”
“Agreed, Dinky. But I’m guessing she’s been conditioned to think that way by The Organization.”
Derpy grimaces. “Why though?”
“The commanding officer over there, General Mustang, has his female associates completely wrapped around his finger.”
Dinky rolls her eyes. “Do they love him?”
“It’s kinda the vibe I got, yes.”
“That’s sick!”
Arc nods. “Yeah, it is.”
Derpy appears confused. “How so?”
“Think about it this way, Derpy. Let’s say that I told you that I wouldn’t allow you to join the herd unless you were able to… oh… let’s say… pass certain classes at the school.”
“Then I’d do it.”
“Yes, I’m sure you would. But how would you feel about me refusing to care about you until that was done?”
“It would make me feel like your feelings were tied to my actions.”
Dinky grunts. “And that’s not love!”
“Exactly. But that’s apparently what Mustang does over there. At least that’s what Hammer told me.”
“Do you think it’s true, Arc?”
“I’ve no reason to doubt her.”
Dinky makes a face. “That human’s a sicko! Manipulating human girls like that!”
Arc shrugs. “Well, Hammer was able to get away from him.”
Derpy looks out the window. “Mio too now.”
Dinky appears hopeful. “Maybe you should take her in, dad.”
She gestures out the window at the cloudy sky before continuing.
“After all, it’s not getting any warmer these days.”
Derpy grins. “It could be just like when Hammer moved in.”
“Well, you see..”
Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom walk into the room together as Brightwing flutters in behind them. Apple Bloom, being the most awake, is the first to speak.
“Good morning, everyone!”
Sweetie Belle groans. “Are you sure it’s not still nighttime?”
Scootaloo shrugs. “Well, the sun is rising.”
Brightwing grins. “Friend still sleepy?!”
Sweetie Belle nods. “I could go for another hour or two of sleep.”
Dinky smiles at her. “You could go back to bed, Sweetie Belle.”
Derpy motions to the pans. “Yes, indeed. We’d call you when the food was ready.”
Sweetie Belle shakes her head as she plops down in a chair. “Nah. I’m already up.”
Apple Bloom turns to Derpy. “We heard something about someone moving in. Was that us?”
Scootaloo groans. “I think we already did.”
Brightwing giggles. “Friends together!”
Dinky shakes her head. “Nah. It was about Hammer’s sister.”
Scootaloo frowns. “Stingray or Mio?!”
“Mio.”
Apple Bloom appears suddenly worried. “Is that bad?”
Scootaloo groans. “Not quite as bad as Stingray, but… aw, what am I saying?! Either would be bad!”
Sweetie Belle gasps. “Then why is she coming?”
Arc shakes his head. “She isn’t. Dinky just suggested it.”
“Yeah. She’s living in a tent outside town in the middle of autumn.”
Scootaloo shrugs. “That isn’t too bad.”
Sweetie Belle narrows her eyes. “Oh really? Dinky, Apple Bloom, and I did it. That wasn’t fun.”
Apple Bloom giggles. “I kinda liked it.”
Dinky sighs. “Yeah. If we hadn’t been looking for my dad at the time it would’ve been a blast.”
“Big Brother and I did that too. It wasn’t what I would call hard.”
Arc turns to her. “But we kinda knew what we were doing. She isn’t an outdoorsy person.”
Brightwing shivers. “Pretty lady looked cold the other day!”
Derpy looks to Arc. “I’m fine with you bringing her here if need be.”
“Yeah dad. We’d all take turns watching her too.”
Scootaloo nods soberly. “That we would.”
Arc shakes his head. “Too dangerous.”
Apple Bloom raises an eyebrow. “Dangerous?”
“I don’t actually know if she’s being honest with me about this whole thing. For all I know she could be trying to get close to the Hero in order to take revenge on Arc.”
Sweetie Belle frowns. “Get close to the… Hero to take revenge on… I’m confused.”
Dinky sighs. “She doesn’t know that the Hero of Light is actually my dad.”
Scootaloo grits her teeth. “Right. Mio thinks they’re two different people.”
Apple Bloom looks to Scootaloo, confused. “How do you know?”
“Big Brother’s taken me on an adventure, or two.”
Arc nods. “That and there’s the psychic link thingamabob between us as Crimsons.”
“And that too.”
Sweetie Belle sighs. “Sounds convenient.”
Apple Bloom grins. “Yeah!”
Dinky shrugs. “I’m sure it has its ups and downs.”
Arc chuckles as he moves to stand with Scootaloo. “Right. Crimsons have powers no other human, or pony, has.”
“The down side is that there’s a certain… stigma around it.”
“Brightwing not understand.”
Arc puts a hand on his thrall’s shoulder. “Scootaloo means that there’s discrimination against Crimsons. At least there was in Knothole Village.”
Derpy frowns. “What about the rest of Equestria?”
Scootaloo shrugs. “Not so much. Probably because no one knows what a Crimson is there though.”
Dinky groans. “But if they did…”
Apple Bloom interrupts her. “We’d tell them to be more accepting, right?”
Sweetie Belle looks to Scootaloo. “I guess so.”
Arc smiles at them. “That’s very nice of you girls. After all, change has to begin with someone.”
Dinky turns to Scootaloo. “Then you wouldn’t have to hide under that little cloak you’re always wearing.”
“Thanks. But I’d rather just keep the knowledge of who and what I am a secret.”
Derpy smiles. “If that’s what you want, dear. We just want you to feel comfortable and accepted.”
A short time later they sit down to eat. Dinky turns to her father.
“So what do you want to do today, dad?”
“I was thinking we should go out to the country stands and see about buying some fresh produce.”
Apple Bloom’s face lights up excitedly. “We’re going to a FARM?!”
Arc nods. “Yup. Thought you’d all like to see how big human farms can be.”
Sweetie Belle grins. “That sounds like fun!”
“Do they have any herbs there, Big Brother?”
“For cooking, yes.”
“Interesting. I’d like to see that then.”
“We can get some pumpkins, apples, and maybe even some pears for making pies too.”
Dinky giggles. “And other stuff to cook too, right?!”
Derpy smiles warmly as she looks to Arc. “We could make a whole outing of it!”
“That’s the plan.”
“Brightwing come too?!”
Scootaloo turns to Arc. “Could she, Big Brother?”
Apple Bloom appears hopeful. “Yeah! Brightwing’s really fun as a dog!”
Sweetie Belle nods. “Definitely more fun than a cat.”
Dinky pats Brightwing’s head. “You can stay quiet too.”
Brightwing giggles happily at the attention. “Yes, yes!”
Arc grins. “Well… as long as she doesn’t try to talk and just barks, sure.”
Brightwing does a backflip. “Hooray!”
Derpy looks to the clock. “So when do you want to go, Arc?”
“As soon as we’re done eating.”
Sometime later the group heads for the Jeep. Getting in, Arc starts driving. Brightwing looks over the back seat from the cargo area and hops into Scootaloo’s lap. The little girl makes a small smile and begins petting her. Derpy looks around her seat and giggles.
“Looks like someone made a new friend.”
Scootaloo shrugs. “I just like this thing.”
Apple Bloom smiles as she scratches behind Brightwing’s ears. “She is really cute as a dog.”
Scootaloo frowns. “That’s not it.”
Sweetie Belle raises an eyebrow, confused. “What else could…?”
“We’re both kinda alone due to our species.”
Dinky sighs. “But you’re surrounded by other ponies all the time.”
Scootaloo frowns. “Ponies, yes. Other Crimson’s… no.”
Arc calls out from the driver’s seat. “I’m here too, Scootaloo.”
“Thanks, Big Brother. At least you understand me.”
Brightwing stands up suddenly. “Brightwing want window open!”
Derpy frowns. “Isn’t it kinda cold for that?”
Apple Bloom shakes her head. “Nah. We’ll be okay back here.”
Sweetie Belle looks at the excited creature before her. “Maybe she just wants some fresh air.”
Arc chuckles. “It’s more than that. Watch.”
Pressing a button, Arc lowers the window next to Scootaloo. As it slides down Brightwing stands on the little girl’s lap and sticks her head out the window. Opening her mouth she lets her tongue flap in the wind. Dinky giggles.
“That’s funny!”
Derpy laughs heartily. “What’s she doing?!”
“It’s a dog thing. They like hanging their heads out the car window while driving.”
Scootaloo frowns. “But why?”
Arc shrugs. “No idea. It’s just instinct, I guess.”
Arriving at the farm they see a large sign. Arc parks the Jeep nearby and they all walk over to it. Derpy reads aloud.
“Honor box below. What’s that?”
“Where you put the money for whatever you take.”
Dinky looks around “So there’s no cashier out here?”
Arc shakes his head. “Nope. They’re just telling you to put the money in this little box.”
Sweetie Belle frowns. “What if you don’t?”
“Then that’s stealing. But there isn’t really anyone out here to stop you.”
Apple Bloom puts a hand to her cheek. “That’s why it’s called an ‘honor box’ huh?”
Arc nods. “Right. The farm is just trusting you to pay.”
Scootaloo looks toward the stands. “So what should we get?”
“Whatever everyone wants.”
Derpy walks over to a stack of baskets in a bin nearby. ”Then let’s get started.”
Arc pulls out baskets for everyone and hands them out before speaking again.
“Put whatever it is you want to try in these and I’ll pay for it.”
Apple Bloom grins. “Thanks!”
Sweetie Belle giggles. “We’ll try a lot of stuff then!”
Dinky nods. “Right!”
Derpy motions with a hand. “Let’s go, girls.”
Leading the trio toward the bins of produce nearby, Arc turns to Scootaloo with two baskets.
“You ready?”
Scootaloo sighs. “I suppose so.”
“Everything okay?”
Scootaloo groans as she takes the basket. “Sorta.”
Arc motions for her to follow. “Oh?”
“I just… don’t feel like I belong here.”
“On Earth or with us?”
“Both kinda.”
“What do you mean?”
Scootaloo sighs. “I’m not a human so I don’t really belong here on Earth. But at the same time I’m not accepted as a Crimson by anyone else other than you, Big Brother.”
“Dinky told me of a village where she saw creatures that match the description of Crimsons. It’s far enough away from Knothole Village that you’d never run into them ever again.”
Scootaloo gasps. “The Crimson village! You know where it is?!”
“No. But like I said, Dinky does.”
“I… don’t really know if I’d like to go there or not.”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “But you sounded so excited about it a moment ago.”
“Yeah. However then I remembered just how much trouble they caused us in Knothole. Can’t imagine they’d be too accepting of the filly whose father captured them in the past either.”
“You wouldn’t have to tell them that.”
“But if they found out…”
“I suppose that’s true. However I’d be with you the whole time.”
“You would?”
Arc nods. “Sure. After all, I can’t just let my favorite thrall run around all by herself, now can I?”
“I’m your only thrall, Big Brother.”
Arc grins. “Still right then.”
“Well… I’ll think about it.”
“Alright. If you decide to go there I’ll have Dinky leads us.”
“Thanks, Big Brother.”
“But right now we should probably see what herbs they have.”
“Sounds good to me.”
They spend the next hour or so looking over produce together. Meeting back at the Jeep, Arc looks over everything they’ve picked. Adding it up, he pulls some money from his pocket and turns to the girls.
“One of you want to put this in the box?”
Dinky raises a hand. “I do!”
Arc chuckles as he hands her the money. “Alright. Here you go.”
Running over to the box, Dinky carefully puts the cash into the small slot. After making sure it falls all the way to the bottom she turns back to her father, grinning.
“Mission accomplished!”
Apple Bloom giggles. “Now what, Arc?”
“We should probably head back home and put this stuff away first. Then I have a bit of an activity planned for the rest of the morning.”
Brightwing barks happily as Sweetie Belle giggles.
“Sounds like someone’s excited!”
Dinky grins. “So am I!”
Scootaloo rummages around in her basket. “I can’t wait to try some of these herbs though.”
Apple Bloom wrinkles her nose. “They smell kinda funny though.”
Arc smiles. “That’s normal. After all, most of them are just to be used in small amounts.”
Derpy sniffs the air. “Like seasonings?”
“Exactly.”
Opening the hatch, Arc puts their produce in the cargo area. Heading back to the house, he and the others bring their fall’s bounty inside. After putting everything away Derpy looks to him.
“You don’t want to start baking yet?”
Arc shakes his head. “We’ll do that this afternoon. Right now we have something very special to do in the backyard.”
“What’s that, dad?”
“Collect leaves.”
Apple Bloom appears confused. “You mean raking them up?”
Sweetie Belle groans. “That doesn’t sound like much fun to me.”
Scootaloo shrugs. “Well, work does still have to be done.”
Arc chuckles. “I suppose it does, Scootaloo. But we can rake another time. Right now I want everyone to follow me.”
Leading the group outside he points to the leaves.
“Head out there and pick up one leaf that you think is extra pretty. Bring it back here and I’ll show you what I have in mind.”
Nodding, the girls do so. A few minutes later they return to Arc. He leads them inside and gestures to the kitchen table.
“Everyone take a seat.”
As they do so Arc pulls a package of paper and crayons from his ring. Setting them in the middle of the table as they sit down Arc looks at them.
“First you start with a piece of paper. Set it on top of your leaf like so.”
Sweetie Belle raises an eyebrow. “On… top?”
Apple Bloom appears confused. “What for?”
Derpy giggles. “You’ll see, girls. Just listen to Arc.”
As they do so Arc grabs a crayon.
“Now you lightly rub the crayon over the leaf. This makes an outline of the leaf’s veins and outer border.”
Dinky grins. “Like a rubbing?”
“Exactly.”
Apple Bloom giggles as she tries it. “This IS fun!”
Scootaloo frowns. “Kinda, I guess. But I’d still like to get to my herbs.”
Derpy turns to the little girl. “You could do the same with some of them, I suppose.”
Arc nods. “That you could.”
“Okay. I’ll try that.”
Pulling some herbs from the pile, Scootaloo gets to work making rubbings of them. Sometime later they each hold up their papers. Dinky turns to the others.
“These looks really cool!”
Apple Bloom grins. “They’d look even better with multiple leaves!”
Sweetie Belle claps her hands excitedly. “Yeah! We could even arrange them too!”
Arc chuckles. “I have another idea. Each of you put your leaves under a single paper.”
They do so as Arc pulls out different colored crayons.
“Now each of you color a leaf something different.”
“Okay dad.”
As the girls get to work, Arc leaves the room. As he returns a minute later with a pair of scissors Dinky holds up the paper.
“How’s this, dad?”
“Looks great.”
Apple Bloom continues scribbling. “This is fun!”
Sweetie Belle looks to the back door. “Can we get more leaves?!”
“Sure. But there’s one last thing I want to do with these first.”
Putting down the scissors he turns to Dinky.
“Use these to cut the steams off as close to the leaf as possible.”
“Okay, dad.”
“Derpy, would you please pull out a roll of wax paper from that drawer over there.”
“Sure.”
Arc grins. “I’ll be right back.”
Leaving again, he returns with a large object in his hand. Dinky appears confused.
“What’s that, dad?”
Sweetie Belle raises a hand. “I know! It’s an ironing board!”
Apple Bloom frowns. “A what now?”
“Rarity uses it, along with an iron, to get the wrinkles out of her clothes before modeling them.”
Scootaloo smiles. “We doing chores now, Big Brother?”
“Nah. I had something special in mind. Watch.”
Setting up the ironing board, Arc pulls an iron out of a nearby cupboard. Putting it on the counter nearby he plugs it in.
“This just needs a few minutes to warm up. Now then, I need a piece of newspaper.”
Derpy looks to the stairs. “I believe I saw some in the basement. Should I get one?”
“Sure. I just need one page though.”
Derpy heads downstairs to get the newspaper. Handing it to Arc he puts it on the ironing board and turns back to the table.
“Let me see those scissors, Dinky.”
“Okay, dad.”
She hands them to Arc as he unrolls the wax paper. Cutting two sheets the same size he lays one on the newspaper.
“Now I need a leaf.”
Sweetie Belle holds hers up. “Here’s one.”
“Thank you.”
Placing the leaf on the wax paper, Arc sets the second sheet over it and folds the newspaper to cover everything. Picking up the iron he carefully runs it over the newspaper as the others look on. Apple Bloom appears confused.
“I don’t get what you’re doing, Arc.”
Scootaloo frowns. “Neither do I.”
Sweetie Belle raises an eyebrow. “Getting wrinkles out of the newspaper?”
“Not exactly. Just give me a bit more time.”
Continuing to run the iron over the newspaper for another few moments, Arc sets it down and steps back before looking to the others.
“Now all we have to do is wait a few minutes for it to cool down.”
“What exactly were you doing, dad?”
“You’ll see.”
A short time later Arc pulls back the newspaper. Picking up the wax paper he holds it up.
“There we go. All done.”
Sweetie Belle frowns. “Where’d the other piece of wax paper go?”
Apple Bloom grins. “I think they melted together.”
Arc nods. “Right.”
Dinky giggles. “That means the leaf is now covered in wax!”
Derpy appears confused. “Is that good?”
Scootaloo looks the leaf over carefully. “It’ll be somewhat preserved, as air won’t be able to reach it.”
Arc grins. “Exactly. They’ll stay colorful much longer this way.”
Apple Bloom gasps. “That’s really cool!”
Sweetie Belle grins. “Where’d you learn to do that, Arc?”
“My mother and I did it when I was little. It was a bit of cheap fun, as we didn’t have a lot of money back then.”
Derpy looks at the leaf. “How long do these last?”
“I’m not sure. Back then I didn’t keep any more than a couple weeks. Now I wish I had.”
Dinky grins. “Well, I’ll find out!”
Brightwing gasps. “Friend?”
“I’ll keep one of these around forever!”
Arc chuckles. “You do that, sweetie.”
Apple Bloom turns to Arc. “Can we make more of these?!”
“Sure. Just get some more leaves.”
Sweetie Belle heads for the door. “Come on!”
Arc turns to Scootaloo as Dinky and Apple Bloom run outside.
“Don’t you want to join them?”
Scootaloo shakes her head. “Nah. I’d rather just look over these herbs.”
“Scootaloo. Do you remember what you said earlier today about not feeling as if you had a place to belong?”
“What about it?”
“If you want to be accepted by others you have to be willing to be like them.”
“Huh?”
Derpy smiles at the little girl. “I think Arc means that you should make an effort to play with other fillies.”
“But I’m an adult now.”
Arc sighs. “Just on paper. Your body is still that of a child.”
Derpy nods. “Try getting to know the other girls. They’ll show you how to have some filly fun.”
Scootaloo sighs as she stands. “Okay. I’ll try.”
Heading for the door, Scootaloo leaves to join Dinky and her friends. Derpy turns to Arc.
“Do you think that will help?”
Arc shrugs. “No idea. But it’s for the best that she try to have at least a somewhat normal childhood.”
Derpy bows her head. “I wish I had.”
“It’s not too late, Derpy.”
“It’s not?”
“Nah. Come on.”
Taking her hand, Arc runs outside with her.
“Arc, what are we doing?!”
“Looking for leaves.”
Dinky gasps. “Dad?”
“Your mother and I want to play too.”
Apple Bloom giggles. “The more the merrier!”
Sweetie Belle laughs. “Sounds good to me.”
Arc grins as he look at the yard full of leaves. “Then let’s get to leaf collecting!”
As they work Brightwing looks over the leaves left on the table. Picking them up, she concentrates and opens a wormhole. Fluttering through she drops the leaves on her office desk in a pile and looks them over for a few moments before putting them into a ceramic bowl. Using her claws she shreds them up as she talks to herself.
“Not long now! Soon… oh, very soon!”